Peter Miller Architecture and Design Books

Such a beautifully curated store. The owner, Peter Miller was such a delight as well. Everything in there is so beautiful from the books to the unique pencils and sketchbooks. I probably spent an hour in there just going through the different pencils and I didn’t feel pressured or bothered. He simply told me to just enjoy and to take my time. Theres a gallery its connected to and he encouraged me to roam up there and check it out. Really nice man. Its too bad I can’t afford to buy too many things there but I will little by little add a unique piece to my collection :) I left with a few really awesome pens, pencils from Japan and a cool new sketchbook from Germany. A designers dream… *SIGH*

Impeccable offerings!
My fiancé has been raving about this gem for years. I finally made it in and am very impressed.
This is a special place. If you are in need of a unique gift or an incredible something for yourself. You must come in!
Oh Mr. Miller himself is so dapper and cool– where does HE shop?

I hope design heaven looks exactly like the Peter Miller space (Design hell probably looks like Bed, Bath and Beyond… but, I digress…). It’s been fun to see the evolution of Peter Miller — from a purveyor of funky art pieces (years ago) to a more refined and focused small boutique that caters to design and architecture lovers. This new space is absolutely gorgeous and is floor to ceiling covered in amazing design artifacts and books (some out of print). The store’s books (which account for most of its inventory) slant more toward gorgeous European design and architecture (bauhaus, mid-​century, and modern as far as I can tell), but you can also find some great American and Asian design publications on the shelves as well. I could literally spend all day browsing, as you find something new and fun to engage with each time you glance around — from large typographic calendars to Alessi silverware to the Seattle Design Royalty clientele that frequent this store.
One room over, you’ll find an actual installation which is beautiful to look at and makes the space all the more charming. The staff is incredibly welcoming and not the least bit pretentious. I truly love it here, as this store is very much a beacon of design love and inspiration.

I love and adore the Peter Miller shop.
Spending hours and hours in the shop perusing the books, looking at all the office objets and supplies, I really feel complete. I fit here. I’d love to live here except at the end of the day, they’d lock the doors and I’d be trapped inside.
My favorite clock, a NAVA green circular clock that is really big — like a foot and a half in diameter, was acquired here at Peter Miller.
I saw it on the wall of the shop and I just couldn’t pass up asking how much it costs. It was pretty reasonable. When I discovered it was designed in Italy by Nava and got the reason why I liked the design so much. Simple. Tasteful. Colorful. Clever. Just as most Italian objects are.
The clock is now happily installed in my apartment and I love looking at it everyday. I just could not imagine not having it. You also can find treasures at Peter Miller. Just take a look.

I really just come in to look at pens and notebooks. I know, kinda lame. But they have a lot of cool things in there. I feel out of place, but whatevs. I’ve bought some pens here. And some notebooks. Staff seem friendly enough, though usually pre-​occupied behind the counter.

I love that Peter Miller has a collection of sculptural and beautiful «every day» items — blown glass sugar cube shakers, fine silverware that would make a great wedding gift for that discriminating couple about to get married, post cards of England that can be customized with included needle and thread to mark places you’ve been or want to go.
I absolutely appreciate that these are the type of item that are functional and useful and can elevate the every day experience in a totally elegant way. And, many of the items are gender neutral, and would suit a distinguished man or couple just as well as they would a single female — something that is perhaps not surprising given that the owner of the shop is a man, but something that is refreshing after so many visits to places like West Elm, Chamelion Designs, etc, etc — all of which I love, but are decidedly girly.
I’m not an architecture student, so I probably wouldn’t know a good curated collection full of hard to find volumes from the typical collection of more common architecture books, but that’s not really why I’m coming here anyway.
The shop owner does seem quite particular — strictly no cell phone usage is allowed in the shop — so it doesn’t surprise me that Darcy H was asked not to write down the names of the books she was looking at. But, I am happy to report that my yellow lab and I were enthusiastically welcomed. We will be back!

Great bookstore to browse, with lots of interesting specialty pencils and design books. As a former architecture student, I find it hard to stay away…

The best design books bookstore in Seattle. Peter is a wealth of knowledge, if he doesn’t have something you are looking for, he goes out of his way to get it for you. Really great design swag too! High aesthetics, high value, high design all the way. Love you Peter Miller Books!

One of the best architecture bookstores I’ve ever been in.
I like being left alone while browsing books so it didn’t bother me that no one approached me beyond the initial greeting. Mr. Miller was in an extended conversation with someone he clearly knew, after 40 minutes or so when the other gentleman left he did say something to me personally and was gracious about it. As I was paying for my purchases the sales woman and another woman who was in the store to meet Mr Miller for lunch both struck up an extended conversation with me. I’m pierced and tattooed and oftentimes people in places like this will treat me poorly. No complaints about the Peter Miller Bookstore.

I can get into some serious trouble in this store as there is some incredible eye candy to load up on. As the other reviews have stated, PMB specializes in architecture titles, but also is well stocked with graphic design, typography & poster books, and beautiful cards.
Peter Miller & staff has always been gracious and helpful to me and I can browse as long as I like without any pressure. It’s a great shop. They know books and will special order titles for you. I’m going back… and yeah! no cell phones allowed and I respect books enough to leave my coffee at home.

My fiancé and I saw this store on our way back from getting coffee and he asked if we could pop in so he could check out some design books. A sign on the door said «Absolutely No Cell Phones Allowed», but there was not a sign saying, «No Food or Drinks», so we went in. As soon as we started looking at some books, Peter came up to me and told me he needed to hold my coffee at the counter as drinks were not allowed near the books There really is a great selection of books and I noticed my fiancé seemed interested in a couple. I went to the counter and asked for a pen to jot down a title. (I like to purchase his Christmas gifts when the recipient is not with me.) Both clerks gave me dirty looks and said, «Title-​writing» was not allowed in their store. I grabbed my coffee and told my fiancé I was ready to leave. I will not go back and support a store that makes me feel so unwelcome.

I love this place. Book store. more like candy shop :)

If you are looking for design or architectural books (which I love and collect), this is the place to go in Seattle. They have an amazing selection of design books in a well displayed and somewhat sophisticated store.
All the great books are there including Phaidon, Rizzoli, Mueller, el Croquis … Could have stayed there for longer but had to get back to the hotel.

I could spend a full day browsing the selection at Peter Miller!!! They have everything from my favorite notebook (Dot Grid) to a well-​edited selection of contemporary design and architecture publishing.
The best way to use Peter Miller Books is to come in expecting to be surprised and to remain open to finding a treasure that you didn’t know you needed. Lars Mueller, Princeton, MIT, Yale, El Croquis, Harvard, Taschen, Phaidon, Actar, Black Dog, Assouline, Rizzoli, a host of periodicals… they’ve got a canonical backlog from every major contemporary art & architecture publisher.

I am an architect and a huge design advocate, plus I love supporting local businesses. But really… too expensive, I was rudely told not to write down titles for a birthday list (huh?), AND if you’re a woman under a certain age, conversation with owner Mr Miller will leave you wanting to rinse off. blech I don’t get that eeuw feeling often, but ladies, when you know –you know. I have a wedding ring, right?
There are lots of design-​rich book sources with integrity and heart and it’s easy to turn to them instead. :)

Like a finely crafted design model, I’ve come to learn that good books are worth the upfront investment. So a treat for this young architect-​in-​training on her annual trek to Seattle from the Rose City is a stop at Peter Miller to pick out something from the architectural and graphic design books, sketching tools and swanky cases to pack them all away.
From popular publications to hard to find editions of journals like el Croquis, I’m always impressed and overwhelmed by the collection here. And it’s almost impossible to leave without buying anything… almost.
You see, it pains me to say that this most recent trip left me with a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. With not even a hello from the staff I couldn’t help but note this uncharacteristic and unprofessional aloofness. As the only one in the shop, it seemed strange that my presence went unnoticed. Quietly flipping through a few books of interest I decided against adding to the list of works purchased here and made my way out back into the afternoon rain.
I sincerely hope my experience was a one off thing, and I’ll be willing to give Peter Miller another shot when I’m back in town. Next time with a little more architectural experience of my own under my belt, but the same quirky architectural school girl glee that only a fellow designer can understand.

Not Just For Archidorks!
Peter Miller is the best place to get sketchbooks — they have every size, every price range (calfskin leather bound gold edged pages anyone?), lined, unlined, gridded (my personal preference), you name it.
My first week at my job, another one of the architects took me out to lunch and to Peter Miller. I feel lucky it’s so close to my office! Also, you can stop by the AIA office just across the street to check out their library.

I did a little searching online and found that there was a book about the Seattle Central Library at Peter Miller, which would serve as a perfect gift for my friend in Japan.
I was pleasantly surprised with the store. I’ve always wanted to go in b/​c they have those HUGE wall calendars and I want one. REALLY BAD. (my birthday is October 17^th, btw.)
Anyway, they had the book. They were incredibly nice and the store is pretty amazing. Books, people. Books! Lots of ‘em. And calendars. and retro radios and other fun things that probably cost more than rent, but that’s okay.
I do think Mr. Miller was helping me out with the sale, but I could be completely wrong. I do know he’s an older gentleman and this guy was VERY well dressed. Whoever he was, he was really nice and appreciated my joking around.

I just want to start off by saying this store is PERFECT!
You must talk to Peter. he’s a hoot! This store has every design book I’ve dreamed of, and more. All the employees are so knowledgeable and helpful, I just can’t get enough. From design-​savvy books to the oh-​so-​needed eraser, Peter Miller stocks it all!

Peter Miller is fantastic!
I don’t stop into this great shop enough. When I do, I find oh so many things I must have; beautiful pens, sketch books, the coolest guide books, etc. I could get lost in here for hours. A great place to pick up a gift. The staff is always very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. Always a treat to stop in!

Simply one of the best design bookstores on the west coast and in the country. The only bookstore that trumps it in my mind is Hennessey+Ingalls in Santa Monica. The great thing is the size of the store and the fact that Peter is there everyday, so approach him and ask him questions to get suggestions on the latest books.
There’s a great selection of design books covering everything from graphic design to furniture design to landscape and urban planning. The architecture section is full of great books new and old. He also stocks some great magazines domestic and foreign. I can easily spend an afternoon in the store. I’d probably empty my bank account at the same time.
Don’t let the architecture-​design-​specialty-​bookstore-​label scare you off. Peter Miller’s also has quality sketchbooks, pencils, pens, calendars, and bags. There’s also a small section of jewelry.
Word of advice if you are planning to travel abroad or even to NYC, Chicago, or LA, drop by Peter Miller’s and grab a book or map on noteworthy architecture, hotels, restaurants, etc. in the awesome travel section. Peter might just have his own suggestions so ask him as well.